Table for handicapped persons



June 3, 1958 L. J. BROWN 2,837,389

TABLE FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS Filed May 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR' 14 ZZflIV/VH J Eeam ATTORNEYS June 3, 1958 L. J. BROWN 2,837,389

TABLE FOR HANDICAPPED PERSONS Filed May 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENT OR lzzmma laqfiw" ATTORNEYS United States The present invention relates to tables for handicapped persons, and more particularly to tables adapted for attachment to a bed of a bedridden patient.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a bed table which can be positioned to permit a bedridden patient to conveniently typewrite, write, read, eat, and to perform all other functions normally associated with a table.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table for handicapped persons which can be collapsed into a relatively small space for convenience in transporting and storage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table of the class described above which can be tilted to a convenient angle to satisfy the needs of the user.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a table of the class described above which can be adjusted in width to fit beds of varying sizes and adjusted in height for the convenience of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a table of the class described above which is inexpensive to manufacture, simple to use, and which is sturdy, providing long efiicient service.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification when considered in the light of the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse cross-section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the table in folded position.

Figure 6 is a perspective view from the lower side of the typewriter pallet.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the typewriter support.

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line 88 of Figure 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the detail of the adjustable table edge.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical crosssection taken along the line 10-10 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, the reference numeral indicates generally a table for handicapped persons.

The table 20, as illustrated in Figure 1, is supported on angle iron bed rails 21 arranged in spaced parallel relation. The table 20 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel channel frame members 22 and 23. The frame member 22 is provided with channel members 24 telescopically carried at the opposite ends thereof. The channels 24 are slotted at 25 and secured to the frame 5 means of headed rivets 29.

The outer ends of each of the telescopic channel members 24 and the outer ends of each of the telescopic channel members 27 are each provided with a leg depending perpendicularly therefrom and generally indicated at 30. The legs 30 each include an upright channel member 31 having a plurality of vertically spaced openings 32 formed in the web of the channel 31 to receive a headed attaching member 33 detachably securing the channel members 24, 27 to the legs 30.

The lower end of the leg 30 is provided with a hollow housing 34 having a vertical slot 35 opening upwardly from the bottom thereof. A pair of rubber rollers 36 are positioned in opposed relation within the housing 34 and are carried on spring arms 37 which are secured to the housing 34 by any suitable means such as spot welding. The spring arms 37 normally urge the rubber rollers 36 into contacting relation so as to provide a friction grip of the leg 30 for the bed rails 21.

To fit the frame members 22, 23 to beds of varying width such as single beds, three-quarter beds, double beds, and twin beds, the telescopic channel members 24, 27 are moved relative to the frame members 22, 23 until the slots 35 in the housing 34 overlie the vertical channel of the bed rails 21 permitting the legs 30 to be engaged thereover.

A table top, generally indicated at 38, includes a pair of panels 39 secured together by a hinge 40. The panels 39 are adapted to fold on the hinge 40 into overlying relation in which position they are secured together by a pivoted hook 41 for ease of storage. With the panels 39 in extended position they are detachably secured to the frame member 23 by any suitable means and have their opposite edges resting on vertically adjustable screw pads 42 which are threadedly engaged through the frame member 22 for elevating the edge of the table furthest removed from the patient, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 4.

The edge of the panels 39 closest adjacent to the patient is provided with vertically adjustable strips 43. The strips 43 are provided with spaced parallel sloping slots 44 through which thumb screws 45 extend engaging the strip 43 to secure it in adjusted position along the edge of the panels 39. The strip 43 is adapted to be lowered until level with the upper surface of the table top 38 to provide a smooth surface when writing on the table.

A typewriter pallet 46 is formed of relatively fiat material and provided with a handle extension 47 at one end. A. plurality of roller ball supports 48 are secured to the under surface of the pallet for engagement with the table top panels 39. The pallet 46 can be moved to any desired position on the panels 39 so that the typewriter 49, indicated in phantom line in Figure 1, may be adjusted to any desired position for use.

The panels 39 are further provided with a support 50 having vertical pegs 51 depending from the lower surface thereof for engagement in openings 52 in the surface of the panels 39. The support 50 has an upright panel portion 50a in which is telescopically arranged a post 53 having a plurality of vertically spaced bosses 54 formed thereon for engagement with a spring clip 55 carried by the channel member 50a.

The lower end of the post 53 has a transverse support member 56 secured thereto for engaging under the typewriter 49 to tilt the typewriter 49 to a desired angle to permit its use regardless of the degree or angle of inclination of the patient. The upright supports 50 furthermore Patented June 3, 1958 r 3 binds the pallet 46 into'eiigagement with the strips 43 to prevent the typewriter 49 from moving while in use.

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the' scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

An invalid table comprisinga pair of spaced parallel laterally adjustable frame members, a plurality of legs depending from the opposite ends of said frame members and secured thereto for vertical adjustment thereon, means on the lower ends of each of said legs resiliently securing said legs to a bed rail comprising a pair of rubber rollers engaging opposite sides" of the bed rail, spring means mounting said rubber rollers to said legs 4 s resiliently biasing said rollers together, and a folding table top detachably secured to said frame members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 345,040 Fitzgerald July 6, 1886 380,320 Cash Apr. 3, 1888 535,945 Donald Mar. 19, 1895 794,809 Marsh July 18, 1905 1,068,160 Orchowsky July 22, 1918 1,308,034 Bonnifield July 1, 1919 1,314,060 Hagerstorm Aug. 26, 1919 1,486,762 Jones Mar. 11, 1924 1,732,520 Letherman Oct. 22, 1929 1,798,028 Nachtigal Mar. 24, 1931 2,509,060 Hoder May 23, 1950 

